[[quoteright:350:[[Disney/{{Tangled}} http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/19589913_jpg-r_760_x-f_jpg-q_x-20101115_115612_9151.jpg]]]][[caption-width-right:350:Welcome to the Snuggly Duckling. The name may or may not be indicative of said place's character.[[note]][[BadGuyBar It isn't]], [[HiddenHeartOfGold until]] [[RealMenWearPink it is]].[[/note]]]]

There are several trends in naming bars and inns, but among the more interesting ones, particularly in HighFantasy, is the tendency to name it after an animal, specifically in the form of... "The Adjective Animal." Extra points for alliteration and/or a present participle (that is, an adjective derived from a verb by adding "-ing"). It often also involves colors: White Hart, Red (or Golden) Lion, White Horse, Black Bull.

There are several other naming conventions for pubs. Either describe an animal in a different grammatical form (such as The Hog's Head, from ''Literature/HarryPotter'', from the barrel volume hogshead and the UK pub chain of the same name) or have "The Adjective Noun," without referring to an animal (such as The Salty Spitoon, from ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'') or linking two random nouns with a "&" (Elephant & Castle).

This is OlderThanPrint, going back to the European High Middle Ages. You obviously wanted your pub to have a name, so people can say "Join me at Alice's Tavern," instead of Bob's Tavern down the path. But since literacy wasn't that big a thing back then, just writing "Alice's Tavern" on a sign would likely lead to someone not knowing that you've got a pub here. Instead, you'd paint a picture of, say, a red duck on the sign, and then people could say "Meet me at the sign of the Red Duck."[[note]][[UsefulNotes/BritishPubs This remains useful today for those who cannot read, such as those who just got quite drunk and now need to call a taxi.]][[/note]]

This pattern was reinforced by the way that from the middle ages until the 18th century most houses in European cities and towns -- not just those that housed an inn or tavern -- were named after such a sign because nobody had yet thought of numbering houses.

The "animal" can also be a monster-- this is particularly popular in fantasy settings to show the difference in what creatures people consider familiar. They don't actually ''have'' to be "real," though; dragons and unicorns are popular creatures for this trope right here in the real world. In futuristic/space settings it can include aliens, too.

----

!!Examples:

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[[folder:Audio Plays]]* The White Rabbit, on the Embankment in London, is a recurring location in ''AudioPlay/BigFinishDoctorWho''.* ''AudioPlay/ThePrincessThieves'' has the Mad Bull, a disreputable bar owned by a criminal gang, complete with its own fight club.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Comic Books]]* ''ComicBook/{{Asterix}} in Britain'' has the British inn "The Laughing Boar" ("''Le Rieur Sanglier''" in the original version, parodying English word order).* ''[[ComicBook/{{Tintin}} The Black Island]]''[='s=] first edition names the Scottish village alehouse Tintin visits "Ye White Hart." However, it was renamed in the two fully colored editions, first to "Ye Dolphin" (with a picture of a dolphin) and then to "The Kiltoch Arms."[[/folder]]

[[folder:Comic Strips]]* Dave Trampier's ''ComicStrip/{{Wormy}}''. In the Dragon magazine #96 strip, the last page had a depiction of an underground town full of trolls and goblins. One of the establishments was named the Blind Giant Inn.* The Swedish RPG comic ''Vidrig, Vandraren'' featured the inn Obscena Hyenan, The Obscene Hyena.* ''ComicStrip/TheFarSide'' had "buzzard beatniks" reading poetry in a dive named "The Dead Heifer."[[/folder]]

[[folder: Fan Works]]* The Three Horses in ''Fanfic/TheKeysStandAlone: The Soft World''. The other pubs and inns mentioned do not follow this convention.* In ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/11682581/12/Trichromatic Trichromatic]]'' Remus and Snape meet a contact at the Blue Llama.* In ''[[http://archiveofourown.org/works/10075505/chapters/22450610 Azkaban's Heir]]'' Harry's bodyguard takes him into a dive called the Drunken Goat.* ''Fanfic/TheTaleOfWestalaAndVilltin'': ** The main tavern in Anorankhmar is the Plummeting Lemming. ** The tavern in Hanoverian Hinckley is the Unobtrusive Beagle, a reference to the Snooty Fox bar at the Hanover Hotel, Hinckley (at the time when the Discworld Conventions took place there - they've changed it since).** The RecursiveFanfiction "After the Tale" mentions the Golden Halosaur (parodying the Silver Eel) and the Impolite Horse (parodying the Vulgar Unicorn).* In ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12205182/1/Angel-s-Place Angel's Place]]'' Harry and his adoptive mother and sister stop at an establishment called Le Lutin Lilas.[[note]]The Lilac Gremlin.[[/note]]* In ''[[FanFic/TheDuskyverse From Dusk to Nigh]]'', the cast has a lot of conversations at the Lusty Seapony. One character wonders how it got that name, since it's in a completely landlocked town. [[TheUnreveal The audience never gets to hear the answer.]]* ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12747756/1/The-Magical-Mark The Magical Mark]]'' has the Happy Hippogriff.* ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/8701813/5/The-Only-Way-Out-Is-Through The Only Way Out Is Through]]'' mentions the Stamping Griffin.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Folklore]]* The "Blue Boar", traditionally the inn of choice of Myth/RobinHood and his Merry Men.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Films -- Animation]]* [[HilariousInHindsight The Red Lobster Inn]] from Franchise/{{Disney|AnimatedCanon}}'s ''Disney/{{Pinocchio}}'', which is where the Coachman often tends to hang out whenever he's not kidnapping boys, taking them to Pleasure Island, turning them into donkeys and shipping them to either the salt mines or the circus.* The Snuggly Duckling, of Disney's ''Disney/{{Tangled}}'', which despite the cute name is a borderline BadGuyBar.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]* A rather grisly example is The Slaughtered Lamb in ''Film/AnAmericanWerewolfInLondon'', which was later used in ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft'' and made into RealLife pubs in both New York and London.* The Feisty Goat in ''Film/EuroTrip''.* ''Les Enfants du Paradis'' has the less than reputable tavern "Le Rouge-Gorge" (the French word for robin, literally "red throat"). As emerges during the scene, the name is actually a not-so-oblique reference to a previous landlord being found one morning with his throat cut.* ''Dancing at the Blue Iguana'' is a story about five dancers at the Blue Iguana strip club.* The Two-Headed Dog and The Famous Cock in ''Film/TheWorldsEnd'' are the only pubs out of the twelve to follow this formula. A few others (The First Post, The Old Familiar, The King's Head, The Good Companions) are similar, but without animals. Incidentally, all of the film's pubs are named for ones that exist in real life.* ''Snow Queen'' (2002) had the White Bear Hotel.* ''Film/TrueGrit''. While talking with Mattie Ross about his past life, Rooster Cogburn mentions that he once bought an "eating place" (restaurant) called the Green Frog.* In ''Film/WhereEaglesDare'', the team meet their contact at a tavern called "Zum Wilden Hirsch" (At the [sign of the] Wild Deer)[[/folder]]

[[folder:Literature]]* The "Prancing Pony" of Bree, the "Green Dragon" of Bywater and the Golden Perch Inn in Stock in ''Literature/TheLordOfTheRings''.* Tortall, the setting of many of Creator/TamoraPierce's books, has a couple. Most notable is The Dancing Dove, but there is also a mention of a place called The Jugged Hare in Squire. ([[http://uktv.co.uk/food/recipe/aid/516438 Jugged Hare is an English dish]]).* The Sozzled Parrot in ''Literature/ArtemisFowl''.* Creator/AgathaChristie wrote a novel (set at an inn) entitled ''The Pale Horse''.* Creator/FritzLeiber's ''Literature/FafhrdAndTheGrayMouser'' stories. The city of Lankhmar had three taverns of this type: the Silver Eel, the Golden Lamprey and the Whistling Fish.* ''Literature/{{Discworld}}''** The Crimson Leech, which gets briefly mentioned at the very start of ''Discworld/TheColourOfMagic''. It may be a parody of The Silver Eel example above, since it's frequented by Bravd the Hublander and the Weasel.** The ''Compleat Ankh-Morpork City Guide'', names over two hundred city pubs that were never mentioned in the books, and goes to this well on several occasions, including the Green Dragon (formerly owned by the dragon-breeding Ramkin family), the Singing Hippo, and the Flaming Kookaburra ([[LandDownUnder FourEcksian]] embassy in the back room). The list of cafes also has the Plaited Pheasant and the Prancing Pony Tearoom.** ''Mrs Bradshaw's Handbook'', the travel guide to the [[Discworld/RaisingSteam new railway]], says the inn in the town of Seven Bangs is called The Jolly Dragon, although it's recently been renamed from The Jolly Green Cabbage. (The local tourist industry is trying to convince people that the craters that give the town its name were created by a battle with a [[OurDragonsAreDifferent noble dragon]], rather than an unfortunate accident in the cabbage pickling industry.)** A fairly definitive fan-created overview is ''[[http://wiki.lspace.org/mediawiki/Pubs here]]''.* There's a Gaiman story where the pub was called the Dirty Donkey, only the picture on the sign looked more like a Pale Horse.* ''[[Literature/{{Sten}} Vortex]]'', the penultimate book in the Sten Series, has "The Blue Bhor" although the fully sentient alien Bhor might take offense to being called an animal.* ''Literature/ThievesWorld'' series. The WretchedHive city of Sanctuary has the Vulgar Unicorn and Golden Lizard taverns. Several vague descriptions of the Vulgar Unicorn's sign are given, including "...that animal improbably engaging itself" and similar.* The Blue Boar in ''Literature/GreatExpectations''.* Steven Brust's ''Literature/{{Dragaera}}'' novels.** Vlad sees two such sign on inns/pubs in ''Literature/{{Jhegaala}}'' and refers to them by their signage. However, the locals call the first pub by the owner's name.** In the Literature/KhaavrenRomances, a scholar from the capital opens a pub in the countryside, ''doesn't'' do this, and has to have it explained to him that nobody in the area can read.* The short story "The Most Precious of Treasures" by Desmond Warzel has The Talking Carp.* The Literature/SherlockHolmes short story "The Adventure of the Priory School" has The Fighting Cock Inn.* The location of Creator/ArthurCClarke's ''Literature/TalesFromTheWhiteHart'', based on RealLife meeting place for London sf fans, the White Horse.* Creator/AndreNorton's science fiction novel ''Literature/UnchartedStars'' has The Diving Lokworm, a BadGuyBar where the protagonist goes to find a starship pilot. The Lokworm is an unwholesome alien creature.* ''The Pink Rat'' is the most prominent BadGuyBar in ''Literature/TheShadow'' pulp series.* Fred Vargas' last novel has ''Le Sanglier Courant'' (''The Running Boar''), which is actually a restaurant but often serves as a meeting place for the main characters. For some reason, [[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} Adamsberg]] insists on calling it ''Le Sanglier Bleu'' (''The Blue Boar'').* ''Literature/SeptimusHeap'' has The Grateful Turbot tavern.* ''Franchise/StarWars''** In Michael Stackpole's ''[[ComicBook/XWingSeries X-wing: Wedge's Gamble]]'', the rogues meet in the Azure Dianoga Cantina.** Michael Reaves' ''Coruscant Nights II: Street of Shadows'' features the Dizzy Dewback Cantina.** ''Double Cross on Ord Mantell'', a short story by Michael Mikaelian published in Star Wars Galaxy 5 has the Drunken Bantha on Ord Mantell.** James Luceno's ''Cloak of Deception'' has The Tipsy Mynock.** Michael Stackpole's ''Dark Tide II: Ruin'' features The Violet Viska on Garos IV.* The poem and drinking-song ''Altassyrisches'' by 19th-century poet Viktor von Scheffel is much better known by its first words "Im Schwarzen Walfisch zu Askalon" ("In the 'Black Whale' in Ascalon").* Creator/SMStirling's 'Dies the Fire'' (and several other Emberverse volumes) has The Hopping Toad, in Corvallis, Oregon.* The backstory of ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'' has the Clanking Dragon, named for a multi-piece iron dragon sign that had a habit of clanking in the wind. During the Blackfyre rebellion the sign was taken down as the black iron of the sign resembled the black dragon sigil of the rebelling Blackfyres and the local lord was a Targaryen loyalist. After that it was called The River Inn, until the river moved and is now known as "the inn at the crossroads."* Creator/RobertRankin's ''Brentford Trilogy'' books have a pub called The Flying Swan. There is also the Shrunken Head, which is Brentford's primary music venue.* Creator/LeoFrankowski's ''[[Literature/TheCrossTimeEngineer The Cross-Time Engineer]]'' series has The Pink Dragon topless bar.* In ''Literature/AnimalFarm'', Mr. Jones drinks at a pub called the Red Lion.* ''Franchise/StarTrekExpandedUniverse''** ''Hidden Universe Travel Guides: The Klingon Empire'' has a traditional Klingon tavern called the Tipsy Targ.** More surprisingly, ''Hidden Universe Travel Guides: Vulcan'' has two hotels called the Sleepy Sehlat and the Lazy Le-Matya (the latter including the Starving Sehlat restaurant).* ''Literature/TheBrothersLionheart'': Nangiala has an inn called the Golden Cockerel, complete with a fat, jovial landlord named Jussi.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Live-Action TV]]* Played with on ''Series/TheATeam'' episode "The Big Squeeze", when Hannibal decides to use props from his movie producer friends to fake a new restaurant to lure in some Mafia extortionists.-->'''Hannibal:''' (''in a faux Irish accent'') And we'll call it, "The Naked Lady".* ''Series/ThreesCompany'' has The Regal Beagle pub where the characters sometimes hung out.* ...Because ''Series/ManAboutTheHouse'' has the Mucky Duck.* ''Series/PigAndWhistle'', a Canadian musical variety show set in a fictional English pub, broadcast on CTV from 1967 to 1977. Remembered less-than-fondly by an entire generation of Canadian children who had to suffer through it to get to the ''Series/WonderfulWorldOfDisney'', which aired immediately after.* ''Series/TheCarolBurnettShow''. In a sketch about a man trying to get his car's license plates at a government agency, he asks the female clerk if he can take her to lunch and she says for him to meet her at the Whispering Escargot[[note]]French for "snail"[[/note]] restaurant.* The Unfriendly Possum in the ''Series/TrueBlood'' episode "Fuck the Pain Away".* ''Series/BarRescue'', naturally, with the Dirty Rooster as one of the bars to be rescued.* In the ''Series/MurdochMysteries'' episode "A Murdog Mystery'', George and Henry stop at a pub called the Tipsy Ferret.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Tabletop Games]]* ''TabletopGame/DungeonsAndDragons''** Ed Greenwood used this one a lot in the ''TabletopGame/ForgottenRealms'' setting.*** ''Volo's Guide to Waterdeep''. Inns: The Galloping Minotaur, The Grey Serpent, The Raging Lion, The Rearing Hippocampus, The Wandering Wemic. Taverns: The Blue Mermaid, The Crawling Spider, The Friendly Flounder, The Grinning Lion, The Red-Eyed Owl, The Sleeping Snake, The Sleepy Sylph, The Spitting Cat, The Spouting Fish, The White Bull. Nightclub: The Smiling Siren. Tavern and Fest-hall: The Gentle Mermaid. Tavern, Inn and Fest-hall: The Blushing Mermaid.*** ''Volo's Guide to Cormyr''. Inns: The Dead Dragon, The Golden Unicorn, The Murdered Manticore, The Old Owlbear, The Red Stirge, The Roaring Griffon, The Snowbound Hound, The Wild Goose. Taverns: The Dancing Dragon, The Silvery Sembian Snail, The Sleeping Cat (restaurant)*** ''Volo's Guide to the Dalelands''. Festhalls: The Lonely Mermaid. Inns: The Black Horse, The White Hart. Rental storage: Dunstable's Sleeping Cat. Taverns: The Drunken Lion, The Thirsty Pig.*** ''Volo's Guide to the North''. Inns: The Crowing Cockatrice, The Frost-Touched Frog, The Headless Troll, The Shining Serpent, The Sleeping Dragon, The Stone Stallion, The Whistling Stag, The White-Winged Griffon. Taverns: The Dancing Goat, The Dreaming Dragon, The Old Owl, The Sly Fox, The Talking Troll*** ''Volo's Guide to the Sword Coast''. Inns: The Black Boar, The Dire Dragon, The Happy Hippocampus, The Jaded Unicorn, The Old Talking Ox, The Raging Lion (in Scornubel), The Running Stag, The Storm Griffin, The Wandering Wyvern, The Worried Wyvern. Taverns: The Dancing Bear, The Happy Cow, The Scarlet Stag*** ''Forgotten Realms Adventures'' (those that aren't in the supplements above). Inns: Black Bear, The Black Cockerel, The Black Viper, The Bloody Boar, The Blue Cow, The Rising Raven, The Roaring Lion, The Spitting Cockatrice, Splurging Sturgeon, The Weeping Wyvern. Taverns: The Empty Fish, The Roaring Dragon, The Silly Satyr, The Stranded Fish (burnt out), The Tattooed Troglodyte. Inn and tavern: The Black Stag, The Blushing Mermaid (Baldur's Gate), The Naughty Nixie, The Weeping Unicorn*** ''1st Edition Forgotten Realms Campaign Setting'' boxed set (those that aren't in the supplements above). Festhall: The Lavender Lion. Hardware Shop: The Copper Cockatrice. Inns: The Night Wolf, The Watchful Lynx. Taverns: The Black Rat, The Blinking Owl, The Dancing Dracolisk, The Drunken Dragon, The Golden Goblin, The Lame Camel, The Lazy Lizard, The Striking Snake, The Thirsty Thunder Beast, The Two-Headed Lion. Tack Shop: The Silver Stallion.*** The Silver Lion tavern can be found in the city of Selgaunt in Sembia.*** ''The Horde'' boxed set. The Red Sturgeon tavern is in the town of Almorel.** Basic D&D boxed sets*** The 1977 Holmes Basic version. In the sample dungeon the {{PC}}s could gather in the Green Dragon Inn (thus making this an early example of YouAllMeetInAnInn). The Green Dragon also appeared in one of Holmes' Boinger and Zereth stories: "The Sorceror's Jewel" in ''Magazine/{{Dragon}}'' magazine #46.** The 1983 Mentzer version continued the tradition. In the introductory adventure provided in the Dungeon Master's Rulebook, the {{PC}}s [[YouAllMeetInAnInn all meet at the Gold Dragon Inn]].** Basic Set D&D supplement GAZ 1 ''The Grand Duchy of Karameikos''. In the elven domain of Rifllian, human visitors will feel most comfortable in the Silver Swan Inn.** Modules*** A3 ''Assault on the Aerie of the Slave Lords''. The city of Suderham had several examples. Taverns: Waltzing Werebear, Grimacing Gargoyle. Gambling Hall: Bouncing Bugbear. House of Ill Repute: The Wild Cat.*** [=AC1=] ''The Shady Dragon Inn''. The Shady Dragon (called the Shady Dragon '''Tavern''' in the text) is a place where {{PC}}s can meet and join up with {{NPC}}s to go adventuring.*** [=DG1=] ''The Shattered Statue''. The village of Volkumburgh has the Crimson Wyrm Inn.*** [=GA1=] ''The Murky Deep''. The Purple Mermaid tavern can be found on the docks of the town of Whitton.*** [=HHQ3=] ''Thief's Challenge''. The Grey Griffon pub and the Bloated Boar tavern can be found in the town of Hylock.*** I10 ''Ravenloft II: The House on Gryphon Hill''. The small seaside town of Mordentshire has the Salty Dog tavern.*** I12 ''Egg of the Phoenix''. The city of Fairway had the Red Wyvern Inn.*** L1 ''The Secret of Bone Hill''. The Dying Minotaur Inn can be found in the city of Restenford in the Lendore Isles, in the ''TabletopGame/{{Greyhawk}}'' setting.*** TabletopGame/{{Ravenloft}} setting supplement ''Chilling Tales'', adventure "The Taskmaster's Leash". In the realm of Dementilieu, the Laughing Pig Inn can be found in the town of Chateaufaux.*** [=WG7=] ''Castle Greyhawk''. In the title fortification can be found the Snooty Salamander Inn and the Merry Memory Moss Tavern (memory moss is a type of monster).** ''Dragon'' magazine #132.*** Article "All the Trappings". An example of a trap-based security system is that of the Grey Griffon Inn in the town of Phalanx.*** The short story "Out of Hand" has the Lusty Lorelei tavern.*** The article "The Ecology of the Aurumvorax" mentions a Red Lion tavern.** ''Magazine/{{Dragon}}'' magazine*** Issue #37 adventure "The Pit of the Oracle". A Green Dragon Tavern can be found in the town of Narrion.*** Issue #73. An article about bounty hunters starts off with a short story that mentions the Laughing Trout Inn.*** Issue #176 short story "Time for an Experiment". One of the establishments near the Pavilion Fair is the Growling Owl Tavern.*** Issue #272. The article ''Sleeping Dragon Inn'' describes the winner of the "Sleeping Dragon Inn" contest in ''Magazine/{{Dragon}}'' #251. It was intended to be the setting for future ''Magazine/{{Dragon}}'' articles and ''Magazine/{{Dungeon}}'' magazine adventures.*** Annual #5 has a random tavern name generator. One of the basic name formats is "The [Table 2] [Table 4]". Table 2 is "Adjectives" and Table 4 is "Creatures".** ''Magazine/{{Dungeon}}'' magazine*** Issue #7, adventure "The Matchmakers". The city of Povero has the the Gray Whale pub.*** Issue #16 adventure "Vesicant". The NotSoSafeHarbor pirate port of Scrape has the Pukin' Buzzard Ale Inn.*** Issue #18 adventure "Crocodile Tears". The village of Tajiki has the Golden Carp Inn.*** Issue #23 adventure "Deception Pass". The village of Amril features the Iron Horse Inn.*** Issue #26 adventure "Nine-Tenths of the Law". The Black Lion tavern can be found in the City of Wysos.*** Issue #33 adventure "That Island Charm". While relaxing in Port Naliam, the {{PC}}s get a hot tip when they go to the Swaggerin' Shark tavern.*** Issue #38 adventure "Horror's Harvest". The Giggling Gargoyle Inn can be found in the village of Delmunster.*** Issue #44 adventure "A Hot Day in L'Trel". The city of L'Trel has the Hammered Dwarf inn.*** Issue #44 adventure "Train of Events". The Laughing Vulture Inn provides shelter to the {{PC}}s in Carmazoz Town.*** Issue #45 adventure "An Artist's Errand". The floating stronghold of Skyport features the Black Manta Inn.*** Issue #49 adventure "North of Narborel". In the city of Narborel can be found both the Skittering Crab tavern and the Flying Manta Inn.** ''Imagine'' magazine issue #21, adventure "For Whom the Bell Tinkles". The {{PC}}s start the adventure in the White Weasel inn.** The Net supplement ''50 D&D Bar Encounters'' had The Elven Hare, The Bloody Bunny, The Dirty Troll, The Noble Hound and The Rotten Fish.** In the ''TabletopGame/{{Greyhawk}}'' setting, Lord Robilar owned The Green Dragon Inn in the city of Greyhawk. This inn also appeared in the ''AD&D'' Coloring Album for children.** TabletopGame/{{Planescape}} setting*** Original boxed set, booklet "Sigil and Beyond". The town of Plague-Mort exists just outside the Abyss. The Golden Griffon tavern is the favorite hangout of the town militia.*** Adventure ''In the Abyss''. The Grinning Imp is a small tavern in the city of Sigil that sells drinks from all over the multiverse.** Mayfair Games' Role Aids*** ''Dark Folk''. The Green Dragon Inn can be found in the town of Aspregull.*** ''Dwarves''. The town of Ostahar has the Blue Beetle and Racing Willibs taverns.** ''Multiverse'' magazine (Winter 1985) D&D adventure "Caravan". After the caravan reaches the village of Ramenford, the party will stay at the Flying Fish tavern.* ''The TabletopGame/RedDragonInn'' is a board game about drinking games, which can trivially be turned into a DrinkingGame itself.* ''TabletopGame/{{Shadowrun}}''** ''Native American Nations Vol. 2'', adventure "Eye of the Eagle". The city of Kemano in the Tsimshian Nation has a tavern called The Randy Sasquatch.** ''Seattle Sourcebook'' (1990).*** Bars: The Filthy Dragon, The Green Fish, The Lost Unicorn*** Hotels: Gold Lion Inns (also a BlandNameProduct for RealLife Red Lion Hotels)*** Restaurants: The Big Rhino, The Shy Giant*** Stores: The Green Nymph, The Silver Slug.** ''London Sourcebook''. White Lion Hotels and The Lounging Lizard nightclub can be found in London.** ''Neo-Anarchist Guide to Real Life''. The Chrome Stallion nightclub in San Francisco and The White Elephant Saloon in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.** ''Prime Runners'' sourcebook. The Chrome Rat nightclub in the Salem section of the Seattle Metroplex is co-owned by the rock star William Marshall Ossian.** ''Shadows of the Underworld'' supplement, adventure "Two Solitudes". In San Francisco, the White Horse Tavern is just a few blocks from UC Berkeley.** Ka•Ge magazine Volume 1 Issue 8 (2nd quarter 1993) story "Instruction Takes A Turn". Roc meets the fixer Weasel in the Chrome Beetle bar.* Judges Guild** ''City State of the Invincible Overlord (Revised)''*** Brothels: Happy Harpy*** Inns: Golden Lamprey*** Taverns: Dewy Dryad, Flipping Frog, Prancing Ki-Rin Saloon, She-Devil, Singing Squid, Wild Boar*** Inn/Tavern: Blue Dolphin, Bonny Black Bear, Crummy Crab, Green Goblin, Sea Nymph, Silver Eel*** Flop Houses: The Water Dog** ''Magazine/{{Pegasus}}'' magazine #3, ''Isle of the Blest'' (sic): The city of Rallu has the Red Hydra and Smiling Mermaid Inns.** ''The Thieves of Fortress Badabaskor''. The title fortress had the Iron Stallion Inn.** ''Druids of Doom''. The village of Wili's Holding had The Leaping Groundhog inn.** ''Verbosh''.*** Inside the title city can be found the following inns: The Red Roc, The Flying Falcon, and the Galloping Goblin.*** In the town of Wartenberg are Ardent Ogre alehouse, the Wandering Wyvern inn and the Stalking Wildcat mead hall.** The ''Lost Man's Trail'' supplement (2010) has the Fat Deer Inn.** ''The Mines of Custalcon''. The Golden Chimera Inn can be found in the town of Byrny and the White Boar Inn is in the town of Trollslore.** ''Wilderlands of High Fantasy'' Issue O. The Lively Leech is in the village of Haghill.** ''Demons of Dundurn''. The Feathered Serpent Inn can be found in the village of Parth and is a major focus of the adventure.** ''Druids of Doom''. The village of Will's Holding has the Leaping Groundhog Inn.** ''Magazine/TheDungeoneer'' magazine #18, story "The Book of Doom". Louise, Nech and Kerk are adventurers drinking at the Green Goblin Inn and counting their money.* ''TabletopGame/{{Earthdawn}}''** The main rules had a picture of the signboard of an inn called "The Gilded Toad".** ''Path of Deception'' adventure. In the small city of Haven near the ruins of Parlainth can be found the Restless Troll inn.* ''Dark Dungeon'' RPG supplement ''Samaris, Island of Adventure''. The Green Dragon Inn can be found in the city of Southport.* ''Dangerous Journeys/Mythus'' RPG. The main rulebook includes the scenario "High Time at the Winged Pig", which takes place at an inn called The Winged Pig.* ''Atlantis: The Lost World'' generic RPG setting. City of Atlantis: the Silver Unicorn and Gilded Dragon taverns. City of Tang in Khitai: the Red Bird Inn.* R. Talsorian Games' ''TabletopGame/{{Cyberpunk}}'', supplement ''Night City''. One of the city's Chinese restaurants is called The Silver Dragon, and a bar is called The Night Owl.* ''TabletopGame/CallOfCthulhu''** ''Dark Designs'', adventure "Eyes for the Blind". The Black Lion Hotel can be found in in Truro.** ''Masks of Nyarlathotep''*** Chapter 2 "London". The Laughing Horse pub can be found in the village of Lesser-Edale in Derbyshire.*** Chapter 5 "Shanghai". The Stumbling Tiger bar in Shanghai where the {{PC}}s can contact Jack Brady.** ''Cthulhu By Gaslight'', adventure "The Yorkshire Horrors". In the town of Northallerton, the Investigators can obtain useful information by talking with a madman at the Red Rooster Inn. * The online PDF supplement ''100 Pub, Tavern, and Inn Names'' has the following examples: The White Hart, The Prancing Horse, The Dancing Bear, The Old Griffon, The Bawling Orc, The Charging Boar, The Hopping Troll, The Black Charger and The Jumping Trout.* ''[[http://empcho.bizhosting.com/Compleat_Arduin_intro_thru_CH1_book1.pdf The Compleat Arduin]]'' version of ''Arduin Adventures''. A picture has a view of Elric's Castle as seen from Red Lantern Street. One of the buildings has a sign that says "The Dancing Termite", presumably an inn or tavern.* ''TabletopGame/{{Rolemaster}}'' ''Shadow World'' setting supplements** ''Cyclops Vale''. The mining town of Coronan has the Blue Dragon Inn.** ''Quellbourne: Land of the Silver Mist''. The Raging Threk Inn can be found in the town of Kelfour's Landing.** ''Star Crown Empire and the Sea of Fates''. The Red Eagle Inn in the town of Borbinak.** ''Kingdom of the Desert Jewel''. The Restless Khabak Inn in the nome (province) of Meyaat in the country of Gethrya.* ''Star Wars''** ''Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, Second Edition'' features the Dancing Dewback.** ''Star Wars Adventure Journal 5'' has the Laughing Bantha.** The ''Living Force'' adventures ''Quarters'' and ''Peaces'' featured the Raging Rancor Cantina on Genarius.** In ''Polyhedron 86'' a group of rebels visits the Ravaging Wardog Cantina.* Creator/{{Chaosium}}'s ''TabletopGame/{{Stormbringer}}''** Adventure ''Stealer of Souls''. The four merchants who hired Elric to kill Nikorn ask Freyda Nikorn to meet them at the Purple Dove Tavern in Bakshaan.** ''Stormbringer Companion'' adventure "Hall of Risk". One of the possible adventure rationales, "Quest for the Sybil", has the {{PC}}s meet their patron at the Screaming Gull Inn.** ''Demon Magic: The Second TabletopGame/{{Stormbringer}} Companion'' adventure "The Velvet Circle". The {{PC}}s are sent to the town of Fakash, where they are to meet a man named Chunloom at the Black Camel Inn.* ''TabletopGame/KoboldsAteMyBaby'' 3rd edition. The sample village of West Bumble has the Screaming Unicorn Tavern. The [[ObsessiveCompulsiveBarkeeping barkeeper is washing the three unbroken glasses in the place]].* Mayfair Games' ''TabletopGame/{{Chill}}'' supplement ''Veil of Flesh''. One of the Ganabes is hiding out at the Blue Baboon Tavern.* ''Chivalry & Sorcery'' adventure ''Stormwatch''. The town of Wyndhaven has the Golden Lyon (Lion) tavern.* Flying Buffalo's ''Citybook'' series.** ''Citybook I: Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker'' had the Diamond Spider Tavern.** ''Citybook II: Port O' Call'' had the Scotch Woodcock Fishery.** ''Citybook III: Deadly Nightside'' had the Singing Frog Sanctuary.** ''Citybook VII: King's River Bridge'' had the Guzzlng Gargoyle tavern.* ''TabletopGames/LejendaryAdventures''. The introductory adventure "Moon Slaves" had the Savory Swine tavern.* Quietly lampshaded in a (black and white) illustration in a ''TabletopGame/{{Champions}}'' supplement (may have been ''Kingdom of Champions'', which dealt with Britain) in which then-iconic villainous martial artist Green Dragon is visibly pondering the sight of an inn, pub, or similar establishment with an obvious dragon sign...* ''Dying Earth'' RPG adventure "[[http://www.dyingearth.com/violetcusps_files/Exasperating.zip The Exasperating Cadaver]]" on the Dying Earth website. One of the places the {{PC}}s will visit is the Loud Oyster tavern in Canal Town.* ''Encounter Critical''.** The starter module in the main rules has the [=PC=]s meet their patron at the Rusty Sighing Panther Tavern.** ''Asteroid 1618'' supplement. The Domed City has the Phasic Dragon Pub, which is almost entirely patronized by adventurers.* ''It Came from the Late, Late Show''. In the adventure "The Iron Fist of Shao-Lin vs. the Dragon Ninjas", the {{PC}}s will go to the Inn of the Red Foo-Dog to find out who sent the thugs to attack the Shao-Lin temple.* ''TabletopGame/{{Runequest}}'' supplement ''Hero Quest'' - ''Champions of the Reaching Moon''. In the city of Glamour can be found the Tardy Newt inn, which can be found in the basement of the Prax's Place restaurant.* ''TabletopGame/WorldOfSynnibarr''. The section detailing the Aquarian race notes that there's a Blind Owl tavern in the city of Terra. In the example adventure, while the {{PC}}s are staying in the city of Terra they decide to go there.* Midkemia Press supplement ''The City of Carse''. Inns: The Black Stag, The Blue Djinn, The Bronze Mermaid, The Golden Lion, The Leaping Hart (deer). Taverns: The Bitten Dog. Dyer's: The Blue Ox. Fishmonger's : The Happy Flounder. Fuller's: The Wooly Sheep. Expedition Outfitters: The Laden Mule. Smithy: The Prancing Horse. Stable: The Tired Donkey. Veterinarian's: The Lame Horse. Woodcarver: The Wooden Duck.* ''TabletopGame/{{DragonQuest}}'' Adventure 3 ''The Enchanted Wood''. In the mini-adventure "The Sage" the {{PC}}s will meet the person hiring them in the Purple Palfrey Inn.* The Companions' ''Streets of Gems'' adventure. The town of Sontra has the Dancing Dolphin Inn.* Gamelords Ltd. supplement ''Thieves Guild 10: Bandit Gangs and Caravans''. Two of these establishments can be found on [=LaRue=] Street in the city of Haven: the Dour Mouse Inn and the Hungry Tyger shop/warehouse.* ''Magazine/{{Ares}}'' #10, game "The Return of the Stainless Steel Rat". One of the locations in the space station is the White Egret Bar.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Theme Parks]]* A [[http://www.flickr.com/photos/27087639@N00/5391093707/ sign]] for "The Green Dragon" can be seen in [[Ride/DisneyThemeParks Disneyland's]] ''Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.''[[/folder]]

[[folder:Video Games]]* ''Franchise/TheElderScrolls''** Too many in ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsArena Arena]]'' and ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIDaggerfall Daggerfall]]'' to even mention.** ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIIIMorrowind Morrowind]]'' has the Six Fishes Inn and the Black Shalk Cornerclub. The Winged Guar (guars being a species native to Morrowind often used as beasts of burden) appears in the ''Tribunal'' expansion.** "The Drunken Dragon Inn" and "The Gray Mare" from ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion Oblivion]]''.** ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]'' has "The Bannered Mare", "The Sleeping Giant Inn", "The Stumbling Sabrecat" (a tiny one in Fort Dunstad), and "The Winking Skeever", as well as "The Retching Netch" in the ''Dragonborn'' expansion. The latter two give you option to ask the bartender where the name came from.** "The Screaming Mermaid" and "The Sleepy Eaglet" in ''VideoGame/TheElderScrollsOnline''* The Stray Sheep bar from ''VideoGame/{{Catherine}}'', if non-fantasy examples count.* From ''VideoGame/DungeonsAndDragonsOnline'': "The Wayward Lobster", "The One-Eared Bugbear Inn", and (in a pirate-themed zone) "Salty Wench Tavern".* "The Swarthy Hog" from ''VideoGame/KingsQuestVAbsenceMakesTheHeartGoYonder''* "The Crippled Burrick Inn" from the ''VideoGame/ThiefIITheMetalAge'' game. (Burricks are the appropriately [[LowFantasy down-to-earth version]] of dragons in the game's universe.)* ''VideoGame/WorldOfWarcraft''** Stormwind has both the Blue Recluse and the Slaughtered Lamb.** The Horde hearth location in Dalaran is "The Filthy Animal", coming as close to this page's title as one can get.* The Golden Lion pub in ''VideoGame/MedalOfHonor: Frontline''.* The Drunken Rat from ''VideoGame/TheBardsTale''.* La Volpe Addormentata (Italian for The Sleeping Fox) is an inn and the thieves headquarters in ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedBrotherhood''.* The Naughty [[MixAndMatchCritters Ottsel]] (formerly the [[AlliterativeName Hip Hog Heaven]] Saloon) in the ''VideoGame/JakAndDaxter'' series, which is the LocalHangout / GoodGuyBar and is actually run by Daxter when he's not out adventuring. Torn commandeers the place for a makeshift southern HQ for the Freedom League in ''VideoGame/Jak3Wastelander'' after our heroes are thrown out of the city (Daxter is not pleased, but otherwise rolls with it) and it serves as the gang's meeting spot whenever they're in Haven City in ''VideoGame/JakXCombatRacing''.* The Octarine Parrot in ''VideoGame/DiscworldNoir''.* ''Franchise/StarWars''** The Sunken Sarlacc Cantina in ''VideoGame/StarWarsTheOldRepublic''.** ''Star Wars: Cantina'' features the Thirsty Bantha on Tatooine.* ''VideoGame/TempleOfApshai''. The game's instruction booklet has a prologue called "The Adventures of Brian Hammerhand". After Brian arrives in a small village, he gets a drink in the Wallowing Whale tavern.* In ''VideoGame/{{Ultima}}'', taverns include the Blue Boar, the Gilded Lizard, the Honorable Hound, the Salty Dog, and the Slaughtered Lamb, and several non-animal examples.* In Creator/{{Infocom}}'s ''Cutthroats'', your character stays in a scruffy room at the Red Boar Inn.* ''VideoGame/TheWitcher''. Vizima, capital of Temeria has The Hairy Bear Inn. It has everything from gambling and illegal fist-fighting to drug dealing, borderline prostitution, and even gang warfare.* ''VideoGame/BioshockInfinite''. One area in the game is a bar called the Salty Oyster.* The Slaughtered Calf Inn from ''VideoGame/DiabloIII'', where you first meet Leah.* The Drunken Pig from ''VideoGame/BravelyDefault'''.* ''VideoGame/SouthParkTheStickOfTruth'' has the Inn of the Giggling Donkey that harbours the scum of all Zaron (really Jimmy's house).* As mentioned below in the Real Life folder, the Green Dragon Tavern in ''VideoGame/AssassinsCreedIII''.* ''VideoGame/AgeOfConan Hyborian Adventures'' has the Thirsty Dog Inn.* ''VideoGame/TalesFromTheBorderlands'' features the Purple Skag Inn in Hollow Point.* ''VideoGame/PinkPantherPassportToPeril'' has the Mucky Duck, a pub located in London.* In ''VideoGame/{{Fabulous}}: Angela's Sweet Revenge'' one of Angela's girlfriends suggests going out for drinks at the Pink Owl.* ''VideoGame/AlternateReality: The City''. One of the places you can get a good night's sleep is the Lazy Griffin Inn.* ''Nevertales 6: Forgotten Pages'' has the Red Dragon Inn.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Web Comics]]* ''Webcomic/ThePigsEar''* ''Webcomic/{{Drowtales}}''** [[http://www.drowtales.com/mainarchive.php?order=chapters&id=284 The Black Dragon]]** [[http://www.drowtales.com/mainarchive.php?order=chapters&id=1607 The Hotfae Cafe]]* ''Webcomic/{{Pacificators}}'' feature the Tough Fish Cafe (where we first met some of the main characters, and we return to it every once in a while).* The ''Webcomic/PennyArcade'' strip "[[http://www.penny-arcade.com/comic/2012/12/07/the-vault-of-winter-part-one The Vault Of Winter]]" features the Silver Unicorn* In ''Webcomic/{{Achewood}}'', several of the characters are opening a pub, and [[http://corneliusbear.blogspot.com/2006/10/pub-name-backpedal.html ask a cantankerous friend for a suggestion:]]-->"If I recall, Roast Beef had suggested naming the place, ''"The Dude and Catastrophe."'' This was because his computer was more or less on fire at the time. He then hung up on me. I didn't consider it a serious contribution.\\Regardless, [[http://www.achewood.com/index.php?date=05252007 they went with it.]]"* Parodied in ''WebComic/SluggyFreelance'', "The Heroic Adventures of Binky and Clyde", with "[[MyLittlePony My Little]] [[http://www.sluggy.com/comics/archives/daily/130219 Prancing Pony Tavern]]". The tavern sign has a silhouette of Pinkie Pie from ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic''.* Most of the inns seen in ''Webcomic/ChampionsOfFaraus'' have this sort of naming theme.One for example, is named "The killer sturgeon"* Creator/BrittanyShepard's fantasy adventure webcomic ''Webcomic/{{Evon}}'' begins in an alehouse named The Happy Vixen, where TheHero meets the AuthorAvatar character. The place indeed has a vixen in it, though she seems more weary than happy.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Web Original]]* ''Wiki/SCPFoundation'', Characters/{{SCP Foundation SCPs 1000 and Beyond}}, [[http://www.scp-wiki.net/scp-1590 SCP-1590 ("The Book of Tamlin")]]. While a person was playing the SCP-1590 game, one of the rooms they entered was a strip club called the Naughty Kitty.* ''Literature/WhateleyUniverse'': The [[http://whateleyacademy.net/index.php/content_page/9/746-imp-4-a-teacher-s-tail-part-2 "Flying Blue Squirrel, which was an on campus pub, reserved for the staff and faculty."]][[/folder]]

[[folder:Western Animation]]* ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'''s The Drunken Clam.* Iroh's tea shop, The Jasmine Dragon, in ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender''.* "The Golden Pheasant" from ''WesternAnimation/AlbertTheFifthMusketeer''.* ''WesternAnimation/SamuraiJack'' episode "Jack and the Gangsters" has a nightclub called The Blue Monkey.* In ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'', the Krusty Krab restaurant owned by Mr. Krabs.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Real Life]]* The Dirty Duck is a well-known pub in Stratford-upon-Avon where actors from [[Creator/RoyalShakespeareCompany RSC]] productions traditionally can be found hanging out after a performance.* "Schwarzer Bär" (black bear) is the name of a hotel in Jena which continues the tradition of a medieval guesthouse which counted Martin Luther among its patrons.* The Laughing Lion is a restaurant located in Dover, New Jersey.* The Red Lobster restaurant chain in the U.S.* The Red Lion is a chain of hotels in RealLife, as well as being the most common real-life pub name in England.* Creato/RichardWagner was born in the house "Zum rot-weißen Löwen" ("At the (sign of the) Red-and-White Lion") in Leipzig in 1813. That city is also home to Germany's oldest existing coffee-house "Zum arabischen Coffee-Baum" ("At the Arabian Coffee-Tree").* Some unusual ones in the UK:** The Bleeding Wolf -- Hale, Altrincham, Cheshire** Drunken Duck -- Hawkshead, Cumbria** Mad Dog -- Odell, Bedfordshire** The Sociable Plover -- Portsmouth** {{Ye Olde|ButcheredeEnglishe}} Thirsty Pig -- Maidstone, Kent** The Ski-in' Doo -- Aviemore [[note]]"doo" is Scots for "dove", Aviemore is a ski resort, it's also a pun on the Gaelic word ''Sgian-dubh''; a small dagger that's part of Highland dress.[[/note]]* The Horny Bull is a restaurant/cafe/bar in Tauranga, New Zealand.* The Battered Beaver, Oakdale, CA* The Winking Lizard is a tavern in Northeast Ohio.* San Diego, California, U.S.** Bar: The Tipsy Crow** Bar/Tavern: The Black Cat, The Blind Burro, Green Dragon, The Pink Elephant, Red Rooster, Rockin Baja Lobster, The Salty Frog, The Sand Crab, The Silver Fox** Bar and grill: Blue Frog, Blue Parrot, The Jumping Turtle, Red Fox Room, Regal Seagull (ale house and sausage grill), The Tickled Trout, The Tin Fish** Cocktail Lounge: Nite Owl, Red Parrot** Dance Club: The Tipsy Crow** Pub: Flying Elephant, The Regal Beagle (named after the ''Series/ThreesCompany'' pub under LiveActionTV above).** Restaurant: Blue Jay Lodge, Red Fox Steakhouse, Red Marlin, Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, The Smoking Goat** Restaurant and bar: Lazy Dog** Tattoo parlor: The Red Crow** U.S. Naval installation on San Clemente Island off the coast of San Diego: a bar called the Salty Crab.* The famous 6th Street in Austin, Texas is home to several of these - Blind Pig Pub, Chuggin' Monkey, Dirty Dog Bar, and Dizzy Rooster, to name a few.* One of the most famous cafés in Paris is ''Les deux Magots'' ("the two monkeys").* Nantwich (a town in Cheshire, England) has the Red Cow pub.* The Dutch city of Rotterdam has ''De witte aap'' ('The White Monkey'), once voted 'best bar in the world' by Lonely Planet readers.* U.S. country singer Brad Paisley gets his morning cup of coffee at a coffeehouse called the Frothy Monkey in Franklin, Tennessee.* The Green Dragon Tavern in Boston, used as the planning site of the Boston Tea Party and the starting point of Paul Revere's famous ride.* A French hotel called "Au Lion d'Or" (the Golden Lion), also a bad pun ("au lit on dort" means "in bed, you sleep").* In Paris you have or used to have the Montmartre cabarets ''Le Chat Noir'' (the Black Cat) and ''Le Lapin Agile'' (the Nimble Rabbit); the latter started out as the ''Lapin à Gill'' (Gill's Rabbit).* Molecular Gastronomist, [[CharlieAndTheChocolateFactory Willy Wonka wannabe]] and all-round mad genius Heston Blumenthal named his three Michelin star-winning restaurant the Fat Duck.[[/folder]]